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Monday, March 2, 2015

Winter Wool Workshop - Part One

We had a great workshop! Everyone had fun, no one froze to death (although little Mira wasn't so sure about that!) and we all learned a lot :-).  This was my first farm workshop and I had the best of all possible students.  Super fun, well prepared, relaxed, patient, interested, interesting...  We also had fabulous wool!


Janbaby came down to help (thank you, thank you :-D) and luckily she thought to grab a couple  of short videos.  Here is a dorky (as always) one of me opening The Big Box from Nistock Farms.




I think this is Nistock Taffy (above) unrolled, but I didn't do a super job documenting everything so it may have been Nistock Freckles.  I should have added note taking to Janbaby's job description ;-). Next time!


How's that for a pretty lock?


On the other side of the spectrum, here is a shorter, finer Ile de France cross fleece.  Another shepherd offered to send three additional fleeces in exchange for some feedback and we were sure glad she did. In total we had six different fleeces from short and fine to medium and long and this super lovely gray fleece in between.


This is the daughter of the white fleece above.  The father was a Bluefaced Leicester and she sent the mother/daughter combo to show how well he'd upgraded the ewe.  And he really did!  


Ooh


Ahh




Nistock Luna was another favorite!


We ended up moving the skirting table outside in the sun after lunch.  It really was quite pleasant and I thought it was so neat seeing the wool out in the snow.  Something crazy that only I would like....except now I have some new crazy friends who'll be right out there with me ;-).


Not sure if you noticed the hay in the earlier picture.  We called this sheep The Boudreaux Cousin...and she actually probably is.  A beautiful long, soft black fleece that was just ripe for collecting everything.  In just a short while, with minimal effort, she was picked clean and ready to wash.  Now, if I can just get them to come back after Boudreaux's sheared ;-).


We pulled off chunks of each of the six fleeces, washed them and set them out to dry overnight. Tomorrow I'll post some pictures of how we processed them.  And probably another picture of Miss Mira ;-D.


*       *       *       *       *

Mug Update

Um, you guys, they are sold out!  I don't even know what to say.  Well, the first thing to say is Thank You!  I kept a few as gifts for our vets, sheep shearer, one for me... but there are nearly 100 mugs headed all over the country and one to Scotland!  Our funny little family waking up with our funny big family everywhere just makes me...I mean, how sweet is that!!!

Single mug orders are going out today and multi mug orders will go out tomorrow.  I'm sending quick emails as I copy down your address, so if you haven't received an email by the end of the day tomorrow, let me know.  We have enough mugs to fill everyone's order as of last night.  I placed a second mug order this morning and they should be here on the 13th.

Coffee and cookies for all!


25 comments:

Sheepmom said...

I"m so glad the fleeces were useful! I kicked myself for not having coated the 2 black ones but it turned out to be good for your students - they'd have learned less from a perfect ready-for-show fleece! This year's fleeces are all under coats so anyone reserving one can rest assured they won't have to have a hay-picking party in the yard ;-)

That gray fleece is stunning! The breeder deserves a big Huzzah! for creating it. Eager for the next installment showing how they all turned out washed and prepped for spinning!

Lisa W said...

Looks like a great time was had by all! I loved seeing Mira on video. That's some gorgeous fiber -- ooh, aah is right. And don't be so surprised about the mugs ... we all told you that they would sell!

Lisa W said...

P.S. mug shot t-shirts are next, right?!

Marcy said...

Those fleeces look so beautiful. I almost could feel them! Glad it was a success. It's always fun to do stuff with like-minded friends.

Lori Skoog said...

Great post Sara. I'm learning! Good news on the mugs.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Looks like you gals had a fun weekend! :)

Tombstone Livestock said...

Mugs I must have missed a post somewhere. Looks like a fun day, even with the snow.

Unknown said...

Does this mean there will be another opportunity to order a mug? Or is the next order already spoken for?

Lisa Smith said...

My goodness, you had time to get the mugs ready to be shipped out *A*N*D* had the workshop! You really are Superwoman! I'm not at all surprised the first order sold out; and I like Lisa W's tee shirt idea! Also, how about canvas tote bags? I always keep my projects in separate bags while working on them; and always a small tote bag for taking to appointments.

T.L. Merrybard said...

Excellent news! They really are adorable so no wonder. :)

steph said...

oh, my.....so much work!! (or is that considered play???)

Sarah said...

It's so interesting to see all of this. I'm learning!
My post is up on Hyacinths for the Soul if you want to take a look. Mira is adorable!

Michelle said...

I'm just so stinkin' pleased that your mugs sold like hotcakes! And why not???

Wol 'n Draad said...

Looks like you had a really fun weekend!! The fleeces are to dye for! :-))
Ineke

fjord girl said...

Wish I was there...looks so fun:)

Susan said...

WHOA, I almost choked on my tea watching this!!! stunning and I am a sorta coarse wool gal (Herdwick...what can I say?)
Oh you gals had fun, surprised there wasn't drool on those fleeces :) You are super shepherd and YES, canvas tote bags next. more weather incoming stay safe. CHEERS

Judy said...

Wow, that sure looks like a lot of fun!! I wish I could have been there to see all of those wonderful fleeces :-)

Andee said...

Horray for a successful workshop!!!! I wish I could be there.

sophy0075 said...

The grey BFL fleece - I covet that. I covet the opportunity to hold Mira too.
Still waiting for my mug invoice :(

thecrazysheeplady said...

I've ordered more and they should be here in just a few days :-).

thecrazysheeplady said...

Me too!!!

thecrazysheeplady said...

Uh oh, you must have been one of the lost emails :-(. I am so sorry about that. I've got the email link fixed, so please try again.

LannieK said...

Ooohhhh, Aaawwww... Beautiful!!! And a good time!!! And sold out!!! A good week for all :-)

Stacey said...

YAY! We can't wait. Ian and I will fight over who gets the mug! (I will win, of course.)

Stacey said...

Oh, and... I SO wish I could join you at your wool workshops. I need to learn, and I'm not finding anyone over here to help me. I'll keep trying!

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